"A Ball of Mistletoe" Another one of my son's articles I thought I would share.

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  • Outside The Box's picture
    "A Ball of Mistletoe" Another one of my son's articles I thought I would share.
    Outside The Box says (21 Dec '11)

    A Ball of Mistletoe

    By My Son

     

    Every winter holiday season there is always the tradition of two people kissing under the mistletoe. Where exactly did that tradition come from? It started in German and Celtic beliefs that the mistletoe was very sacred. Especially the oak mistletoe. Mistletoe is a parasite plant that feeds off of its host and so it was deeply connected with the oak tree, this led druids to believe that it contained the very soul of the oak tree. Every winter they would harvest the mistletoe and sacrifice albino bulls to the tree to be granted fertility and prosperity. Along with these beliefs, the mistletoe itself was fire resistant, decorative, and poisonous. Its poison was used to bless weaponry and as an antidote to poison victims, and to some an aphrodisiac. Mistletoe was worshiped in these cultures. Then in Scandinavia, the tradition of prosperity and fertility coming from the mistletoe led to the plant being a symbol of peace among war. To show this sign of peace the two waring parties, whether it be countries or spouses, would share a kiss under the mistletoe to announce peace. Then in England, the mistletoe was used at “Kissing Balls” to find spouses. When a man and a woman shared a kiss under the mistletoe it announced their love for each other and stood as a marriage proposal. They then would be married sometime in the next year. Then in Christian beliefs, the mistletoe symbolized how the power of love conquered death and closely represented the Virgin birth of Christ. That is why during the winter holiday season we use mistletoe to symbolize love and affections.

    So who of you out there is caring your special mistletoe for that special someone to share a kiss with this Christmas? Merry Christmas with love, peace and joy!

    _________________________________________________________________________________________________

    * I, Outside The Box found this to be very interesting and how much history goes with it and hope you do too. :) Happy Holiday's Everyone!

    13
    Filed Under: Community Forum Archive
Outside The Box's picture
Submitted by Outside The Box
on Wed, 12/21/2011 - 10:01am

A Ball of Mistletoe

By My Son

 

Every winter holiday season there is always the tradition of two people kissing under the mistletoe. Where exactly did that tradition come from? It started in German and Celtic beliefs that the mistletoe was very sacred. Especially the oak mistletoe. Mistletoe is a parasite plant that feeds off of its host and so it was deeply connected with the oak tree, this led druids to believe that it contained the very soul of the oak tree. Every winter they would harvest the mistletoe and sacrifice albino bulls to the tree to be granted fertility and prosperity. Along with these beliefs, the mistletoe itself was fire resistant, decorative, and poisonous. Its poison was used to bless weaponry and as an antidote to poison victims, and to some an aphrodisiac. Mistletoe was worshiped in these cultures. Then in Scandinavia, the tradition of prosperity and fertility coming from the mistletoe led to the plant being a symbol of peace among war. To show this sign of peace the two waring parties, whether it be countries or spouses, would share a kiss under the mistletoe to announce peace. Then in England, the mistletoe was used at “Kissing Balls” to find spouses. When a man and a woman shared a kiss under the mistletoe it announced their love for each other and stood as a marriage proposal. They then would be married sometime in the next year. Then in Christian beliefs, the mistletoe symbolized how the power of love conquered death and closely represented the Virgin birth of Christ. That is why during the winter holiday season we use mistletoe to symbolize love and affections.

So who of you out there is caring your special mistletoe for that special someone to share a kiss with this Christmas? Merry Christmas with love, peace and joy!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

* I, Outside The Box found this to be very interesting and how much history goes with it and hope you do too. :) Happy Holiday's Everyone!

Forum category: 
Community Forum Archive
Beckxy's picture

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 7:47pm — Beckxy

this is cute, OTB

Outside The Box's picture

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 8:03pm — Outside The Box

:)

bluesuedeshoe's picture

Sun, 12/09/2012 - 11:08pm — bluesuedeshoe

Close friend of mine designs polymer clay tutorials, and this was her project for us this season: http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/mistletoe-ornament-polymer-clay-tutorials-vol-055/16459/

Outside The Box's picture

Mon, 12/10/2012 - 10:03am — Outside The Box

Very cool link Blue and the ornament is very pretty-thanks for sharing! :)

bluesuedeshoe's picture

Mon, 12/10/2012 - 6:00pm — bluesuedeshoe

Your son inspired it, I sent her the write-up last year, and this year, TADA. If you hit the link and scroll down there is a video on mistletoe that describes the plant and use.

Outside The Box's picture

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 8:02pm — Outside The Box

Blue, I ordered an ornament from her, for now it is sentimental <3 It will be lovely to go on the tree with special memories as that is what all my decorations are from what has been made to places we have gone, just all do not match and are all so special so when we decorate the tree we relive each memory with the ornament and now this will be the one for this year! <3

bluesuedeshoe's picture

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 8:14pm — bluesuedeshoe

It will be extra special if she sells you one, she doesn't have a shop or do major sales, but occasionally, you can score one. She made my "daughter's" wedding gift, a big symbolic dogwood flower with sterling spoon clip, which I gave to she and her hubby to use as "the money clip" for special savings and treats (and to remind them to do it as well as some to get them started, lol).

Outside The Box's picture

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 8:21pm — Outside The Box

Sounds like it was a beautiful and wonderful wedding gift! :) Yes, she has already been in contact with me and we are getting things set up-it is and will always be so special now!!! <3 Thank you so much Blue-Big Hugs!!! :)

Outside The Box's picture

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 1:11am — Outside The Box

Very cool Blue!!! I showed my son, now he wants an ornament for our Christmas Tree, so when I have time tomorrow I'll have to look at the link/site better :)
This was really cool-Thank you for sharing :)

Outside The Box's picture

Sun, 12/09/2012 - 10:31pm — Outside The Box

Just thought I'd bump this thread from last year cause it is interesting and also a fun fact-I hope you enjoy!!! :)

D4evr's picture

Wed, 12/21/2011 - 10:38am — D4evr

Thank you, I too, find this enlightening :))), Happiest of Holidays to you and your son and those you embrace :))) ~peace~ D
,

Margo C's picture

Wed, 12/21/2011 - 10:33am — Margo C

That is interesting...my 7 yr. old asked me the other day what mistletoe was. I just told him it was a plant that you hang off the ceiling during the holidays & you kiss someone under it, I had no idea it had this much history to it!

just because's picture

Wed, 12/21/2011 - 10:29am — just because

I love this kind of information. Happy Holidays to you!!!